Fort Scratchley Historic Site

Newcastle East, NSW

Historical
4 (5 reviews)

Where are we going?

Address: 5 Fort Dr, Newcastle East NSW 2300, Australia How do we get there? Number: 02 4929 3066
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About this activity

The Fort Scratchley Historic Site is where you can tunnel into 200 years of history, and it's also where you can experience some of the most amazing views in Newcastle! Fort Scratchely Historic Site stands proud guarding the Hunter River, and is certainly one of the most spectacular vantage points in the entire city.

Once used by local Aboriginies, the fort has a strong history with coal, as well as navigation and defence - so kids will be exploring history first hand, as they learn about what happened right under their feet!

Did you know that it was the European explorers that came from Sydney who discovered the coal seams? This led it to be the first ever coal mine in the entire country!

Then, the coal-fired navigation beacon was set up, and was used right up until 1857 - can you imagine how much that helped those explorers and ships going past!

Of course, Fort Scratchley Historic Site has an incredible position, so it's no wonder it was used as a strategic defence point too!

A guided tour is by far the best way to unlock all the secrets here, with much more detail and of greater significance than you could find alone. A tour will take you around the full site including several tunnels!

On weekends it becomes one of the few sites left in the world's shorelines which fires a gun and time ball at 1pm precisely for sea farers to correct their watches by.

Are you excited to travel back in time to learn about history first hand? We certainly are!

Activity location

Directions

Fort Scratchley is situated in Newcastle East overlooking Nobbys Beach. It is an easy walk to the heart of the Newcastle city centre.

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How much does it cost?

Hilton

Adults

Free entry!

Hilton

Children

Free entry!

Hilton

Free Under

4 years for guided tour

Hilton

Last Updates

2023

Fort Scratchley Historic Site FAQ’s

The gift shop sells ice cream!

You can join a paid tour of the site, either the full tunnel tour and site, or just the tunnels. Tours depart 4 hours per day. The free admission allows you to enjoy a self-guided tour with a map

There is a range of merchandise for sale at the Artillery Store! Bring that pocket money!

The tunnel tours are unsuitable for wheelchairs, but other areas can be accessible but it's uneven ground

At 1pm there is the traditional fun firings - don't miss out! They run every day, subject to weather

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